Alain Rocher

Alain Rocher, beloved Stoneham High School girls track coach, died Monday, March 13 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital at the age of 74.

Born in Jouy Le Potier, France on December 21, 1942 he was the son of the late Charles and Madeliene (LaRene) Rocher.

Mr. Rocher was raised and educated in France. He had a Master's degree in teaching and had been working at the American Dependent School in Orleans, France when he met the love of his life, Barbara L. (Becker), with whom he shared 50 years of marriage. He moved to the United States in 1965 and Barbara soon followed in 1966, settling in Stoneham where they lived for 45 years. In addition to coaching the Stoneham High School girls track team, which led him to twice be named "Coach of the Year" by the Boston Globe, Mr. Rocher also taught French. He had a passion for fishing and enjoyed many fishing trips to Alaska.

He was the beloved husband of Barbara L. (Becker) Rocher of Melrose. He was the loving father of Jean-Marc C. Rocher and his wife Ikue of Tokyo, Japan. He was the adoring grandfather of Jean-Luc Rocher. He was the brother of Claudine Bonatre and her husband Jean-Claude of France. He was the brother-in-law of Larry Becker and his wife Peggy of South Carolina. He was the uncle of Stephen, Gregory, and Christopher Becker and Karim Bonatre. He was the great uncle of Salihah Bonatre and Tyler, Jamison, Liam, Flynn, Snowden, and Phoebe Becker. He is also survived by dear friends the Luther, Smith, Fiore, and McCusker families.

His funeral service will be held in the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main St., Stoneham on Tuesday at 7pm. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held prior to the service from 4-7pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stoneham High School Alumni Scholarship Fund, 149 Franklin St., Stoneham, MA 02180.

March 21, 2017
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

McDonald - Finnegan Funeral Home
322 Main St.
Stoneham, MA 02180
781438-0405

March 21, 2017
7:00 PM

McDonald - Finnegan Funeral Home
322 Main St.
Stoneham , MA 02180
(781) 438-0405